Arkansas Esthetician Practice Exam

Melanocytes that are more active produce what?

1. Faster hair growth

2. Darker skin

3. More sweat

4. Reduced aging

The correct answer is: Darker skin

Melanocytes are specialized skin cells responsible for producing melanin, which is the pigment that gives color to the skin and hair. When these melanocytes become more active, they produce an increased amount of melanin, resulting in darker pigmentation of the skin. This is particularly evident in response to exposure to sunlight, where the skin darkens as a protective mechanism against UV radiation. Therefore, the correct answer addresses the direct effect of increased melanocyte activity—leading to darker skin. Faster hair growth, more sweat, and reduced aging are not directly linked to the activity level of melanocytes. While pigmentation may influence the visual perception of aging, the biological functions of hair growth and sweat production are regulated by different mechanisms, such as hormones and skin health, rather than the activity of melanocytes.